Mining Secular Music for Biblical Nuggets

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It is CCM weekend again, so here is a song from 1969 by Larry Norman, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready":

Life was filled with guns and war
And everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready

Children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind
The Son has come and you've been left behind

A man and wife asleep in bed
She hears a noise and turns her head
He's gone, I wish we'd all been ready

Two men walking up a hill
One disappears and one's left standing still
I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind
The Son has come and you've been left behind

Life was filled with guns and war
And everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready

Children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind
How could you have been so blind?
The Father spoke, the demons dined
The Son has come and you've been left behind
You've been left behind.
 
Found this song via Google by Leonard Cohen, "If It Be Your Will" that resonates with me:

If it be your will That I speak no more
And my voice be still As it was before
I will speak no more I shall abide until
I am spoken for If it be your will.

If it be your will That a voice be true
From this broken hill I will sing to you
From this broken hill All your praises they shall ring
If it be your will To let me sing
From this broken hill All your praises they shall ring.

If it be your will To let me sing
If it be your will If there is a choice
Let the rivers fill Let the hills rejoice
Let your mercy spill On all these burning hearts in hell.

If it be your will To make us well
And to draw us near And bind us tight
All your children here In their rags of light
In our rags of light All dressed to kill
And end this night If it be your will
If it be your will.
 
This popped up on the forum front page. Huh... Might take a look. I don't venture into this forum much, but a thread about music, well! :D :D :D :D

i've always liked Moonshadow by Cat Stevens.

If I ever lose my legs
I won't moan
And I won't beg
For if I ever lose my legs
I won't have to walk no more

If I ever lose my eyes
If my colors all run dry
Oh if I ever lose my eyes
I won't have to cry no more
 
There are some secular songs that I admire for expressing epidemic problems in a very clear manner. "Once I was seven years old" is one of them.

Once I was seven years old
My momma told me
Get yourself some friends
Or you'll be lonely
Once I was seven years old

Then the first verse talks about all he did to make friends, all the things you have to do to try to fit in and be accepted...

Once I was eleven years old
My daddy told me
Get yourself a wife
Or you'll be lonely
Once I was eleven years old

It talks about writing songs and stories, having children, and when he gets old "I hope my children come and visit once or twice a month." Underlying the whole song is the fear of loneliness and the drive to keep it at bay.
 
There's also Jewels and Gems - definitely not christian singers, but they have some good biblical points.

They say that money is the root of all evil
And money doesn't grow on trees
I disagree cause most money is paper
Taken from the wood like branches and leaves
Need money to live, need trees to breathe
And we all wanna snap branches from the trees
And we all visit bank branches for the peace
No evil in the money, the evil's in greed

A friend in need is a friend indeed
Think twice before you speak to a friend in need
Lend a friend money, he become your enemy
Be wary when friends coming on a bended knee
 
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Lynx said:
There's also Jewels and Gems - definitely not christian singers, but they have some good biblical points.

They say that money is the root of all evil
And money doesn't grow on trees
I disagree cause most money is paper
Taken from the wood like branches and leaves
Need money to live, need trees to breathe
And we all wanna snap branches from the trees
And we all visit bank branches for the peace
No evil in the money, the evil's in greed

A friend in need is a friend indeed
Think twice before you speak to a friend in need
Lend a friend money, he become your enemy
Be wary when friends coming on a bended knee
Click to expand...
i have to agree with that last verse.
 
GWH said:
Found this song via Google by Leonard Cohen, "If It Be Your Will" that resonates with me:

If it be your will That I speak no more
And my voice be still As it was before
I will speak no more I shall abide until
I am spoken for If it be your will.

If it be your will That a voice be true
From this broken hill I will sing to you
From this broken hill All your praises they shall ring
If it be your will To let me sing
From this broken hill All your praises they shall ring.

If it be your will To let me sing
If it be your will If there is a choice
Let the rivers fill Let the hills rejoice
Let your mercy spill On all these burning hearts in hell.

If it be your will To make us well
And to draw us near And bind us tight
All your children here In their rags of light
In our rags of light All dressed to kill
And end this night If it be your will
If it be your will.
Click to expand...


Yes, love this song! I still wonder whether Leonard Cohen found God?
 
Lynx said:
This popped up on the forum front page. Huh... Might take a look. I don't venture into this forum much, but a thread about music, well! :D:D:D:D

i've always liked Moonshadow by Cat Stevens.

Glad to be joined by another music lover, and I also have liked many songs by Cat Stevens
before he became a Muslim and lost his muse. Here are the complete lyrics to Moonshadow.

Yes, I'm bein' followed by a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Leapin and hoppin' on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow

And if I ever lose my hands, lose my plough, lose my land,
Oh if I ever lose my hands, Oh if.... I won't have to work no more.
And if I ever lose my eyes, if my colors all run dry,
Yes if I ever lose my eyes, Oh if.... I won't have to cry no more.

Yes, I'm bein' followed by a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Leapin and hoppin' on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow

And if I ever lose my legs, I won't moan, and I won't beg,
Oh if I ever lose my legs, Oh if.... I won't have to walk no more.
And if I ever lose my mouth, all my teeth, north and south,
Yes if I ever lose my mouth, Oh if.... I won't have to talk...

Did it take long to find me? I asked the faithful light.
Did it take long to find me? And are you gonna stay the night?

I'm bein' followed by a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Leapin and hoppin' on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow

Now I will look at your other posts/songs. :cool:
Click to expand...
 
You want it darker - Leonard Cohen
If you are the dealer, I'm out of the game
If you are the healer, it means I'm broken and lame
If thine is the glory, then mine must be the shame
You want it darker
We kill the flame
Magnified, sanctified
Be the holy name
Vilified, crucified
In the human frame
A million candles burning
For the help that never came
You want it darker
Hineni, hineni
I'm ready, my Lord
There's a lover in the story
But the story's still the same
There's a lullaby for suffering
And a paradox to blame
But it's written in the scriptures
And it's not some idol claim
You want it darker
We kill the flame
They're lining up to prisoners
And the guards are taking aim
I struggle with some demons
They were middle class and tame
I didn't know I had permission
To murder and to maim
You want it darker
Hineni, hineni
I'm ready, my Lord
Magnified, sanctified
Be the holy name
Vilified, crucified
In the human frame
A million candles burning
For the love that never came
You want it darker
We kill the flame
If you are the dealer, let me out of the game
If you are the healer, I'm broken and lame
If thine is the glory, mine must be the shame
You want it darker
Hineni, hineni
Hineni, hineni
I'm ready, my Lord
-----
Just learnt that "hineni" is Hebrew for "here I am"
 
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Lynx said:
There are some secular songs that I admire for expressing epidemic problems in a very clear manner. "Once I was seven years old" is one of them.

Once I was seven years old
My momma told me
Get yourself some friends
Or you'll be lonely
Once I was seven years old

Then the first verse talks about all he did to make friends, all the things you have to do to try to fit in and be accepted...

Once I was eleven years old
My daddy told me
Get yourself a wife
Or you'll be lonely
Once I was eleven years old

It talks about writing songs and stories, having children, and when he gets old "I hope my children come and visit once or twice a month." Underlying the whole song is the fear of loneliness and the drive to keep it at bay.
Click to expand...

Wiki says a Danish "pop-soul" band named Lukas Graham lead by singer Lukas Forchhammer created this song.
The Lord got me my best friend, who is my wife, but both of our grown children have not been blessed in that way,
so we hope they will find the single life recommended by Paul to be happy enough.
 
Lynx said:
There's also Jewels and Gems - definitely not christian singers, but they have some good biblical points.

They say that money is the root of all evil
And money doesn't grow on trees
I disagree cause most money is paper
Taken from the wood like branches and leaves
Need money to live, need trees to breathe
And we all wanna snap branches from the trees
And we all visit bank branches for the peace
No evil in the money, the evil's in greed

A friend in need is a friend indeed
Think twice before you speak to a friend in need
Lend a friend money, he become your enemy
Be wary when friends coming on a bended knee
Click to expand...

I loaned a "friend" a little money early in life and learned always to consider a "loan" to be a gift
with no strings attached.
 
Compare, or I should say contrast the song CALIFORNIA LOVE against the 87th Psalm

i do not typically listen to music like this, and do not recommend it
but it fascinated me how the song is structured in a similar way
(Such as mentioning the names of the places and specifically what goes on there)
note in the Psalm the only thing that matters is the person is born again (born there, as the Psalm says)
it doesn't matter where the person was originally born from, as long as they are born again..
these "things" are seperated by thousands of years (literally) but still active in the 21st century..
Even tho' the song is trash & the world pushes this stuff, it's good to know these things..
 
Meatbag said:
Compare, or I should say contrast the song CALIFORNIA LOVE against the 87th Psalm

i do not typically listen to music like this, and do not recommend it
but it fascinated me how the song is structured in a similar way
(Such as mentioning the names of the places and specifically what goes on there)
note in the Psalm the only thing that matters is the person is born again (born there, as the Psalm says)
it doesn't matter where the person was originally born from, as long as they are born again..
these "things" are seperated by thousands of years (literally) but still active in the 21st century..
Even tho' the song is trash & the world pushes this stuff, it's good to know these things..
Click to expand...

Consider that music is merely a form of recreation and art, so to be consistent you would not typically do any type of recreation or art.
IMO we are free to enjoy recreation and art unless it advocates atheism and/or immorality. A few years ago I was enjoying "Tonight's the Night" by Rod Stevens until I realized what the lyrics were preaching, so I boycott that one--and I can see why you did not post the lyrics to CA Love for us to be polluted with!
 
GWH said:
I have always loved music (cf. EPH 5:19). In this thread I would like for folks to share lyrics from secular songs that seem to be spiritual or at least compatible with Christian morals (LK 9:50).
.
Click to expand...


Don't know if anyone has mentioned "What a Difference you've Made in my Life" sung by Ronnie Milsap. I've heard it done as a Christian song, also at weddings.
 
ThereRoseaLamb said:
Don't know if anyone has mentioned "What a Difference you've Made in my Life" sung by Ronnie Milsap. I've heard it done as a Christian song, also at weddings.
Click to expand...

No, let's have a look:

What, a, difference you've made in my life, What a difference you've made in my life
You're my sunshine day and night, Oh what a difference you've made in my life
What a change you have made in my heart, What a change you have made in my heart
You replaced all the broken parts, Oh what a change you have made in my heart

Love to me was just a word in a song That had been way over-used
But now I've joined in the singin' 'Cause you've shown me love's true meanin'
That's why I want to spread the news

What a difference you've made in my life, ...

You're my sunshine day-ay and ni-I-I-ight...

Go ahead and sing it...

Oh yeah, sing it to me

The words are so repetitive that it is more of a chorus than a full-fledged song,
but if the tune is nice I can see how it would be good for weddings. Thanks for mentioning it.
The song along that lyrical line that we had played at our wedding was "God Only Knows".
 
I have no idea who The Fray is, but googling secular songs with Christian themes found these lyrics to "You Found Me":

I found God On the corner of First and Amistad
Where the west Was all but won
But all alone Smoking his last cigarette
I said, "Where you been?" He said, "Ask anything"

"Where were you When everything was falling apart?
Where all my days Were spent by a telephone
That never rang And all I needed was a call
That never came To the corner of First and Amistad?"

Lost and insecure You found me, you found me
Lying on the floor Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait? Where were you, where were you?
Just a little late You found me, you found me

In the end Everyone ends up alone
But losing her The only one who's ever known
Who I am, who I'm not, and who I wanna be
No way to know How long she will be next to me

Lost and insecure You found me, you found me
Lying on the floor Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait? Where were you, where were you?
Just a little late You found me, you found me

For early morning The city breaks
But I've been calling For years and years and years and years
And you never left me no messages You never sent me no letters
You got some kind of nerve Taking all I want

Lost and insecure You found me, you found me
Lying on the floor Where were you, where were you?
Lost and insecure You found me, you found me
Lying on the floor Surrounded, surrounded

Why'd you have to wait? Where were you, where were you?
Just a little late You found me, you found me
Why'd you have to wait To find me, to find me?
 
Here is a song from the year I graduated HS sung by the Troggs:

I feel it in my fingers; I feel it in my toes
Love is all around me, And so the feeling grows
It's written on the wind; It's everywhere I go, oh yes, it is
So if you really love me, Come on and let it show, oh

[Chorus]
You know I love you, I always will
My mind's made up by the Way that I feel
There's no beginning, There'll be no end
'Cause on my love you can depend

[Verse 2]
I see your face before me, As I lay on my bed
I kinda get to thinking Of all the things you said,
You gave your promise to me, And I gave mine to you
I need someone beside me In everything I do

You know I love you, I always will
My mind's made up by the Way that I feel
There's no beginning, There'll be no end
'Cause on my love you can depend.

[Consider divine love revealed by creation and marital commitment taught by Jesus.]
 
Another song found via googling is "Change" by Tracy Chapman:

f you knew that you would die today
You saw the face of God and love
Would you change? Would you change?
If you knew that love can't break your heart
When you're down so low, you cannot fall
Would you change? Would you change?

(Refrain: ) How bad, how good does it need to get?
How many losses? How much regret?
What chain reaction would cause an effect?
Makes you turn around Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget Makes you change
Makes you change

If you knew that you would be alone
Knowing right, being wrong
Would you change? Would you change?
If you knew that you would find a truth
That brings a pain that can't be soothed
Would you change? Would you change?

Are you so upright, you can't be bent
If it comes to blows?
Are you so sure you won't be crawling?
If not for the good, why risk falling?
Why risk falling?
If everything you think you know
Makes your life unbearable
Would you change? Would you change?

If you'd broken every rule and vow
And hard times come to bring you down
Would you change? Would you change?
If you knew that you would die today
If you saw the face of God and love
Would you change? Would you change?
Would you change? Would you change?
 
Not sure how I overlooked this song by Paul Revere and the Raiders called "Kicks":

Girl, you thought you found the answer
On that magic carpet ride last night
But when you wake up in the mornin'
The world still gets you uptight
Well, there's nothin' that you ain't tried
To fill the emptiness inside
When you come back down, girl
Still ain't feelin' right

And don't it seem like
Kicks just keep gettin' harder to find
And all your kicks ain't bringin' you peace of mind
Before you find out it's too late, girl
You better get straight

No, but not with kicks, you just need help, girl
Well you think you're gonna find yourself
A little piece of paradise
But it ain't happened yet, so girl, you better think twice
Don't you see no matter what you do
You'll never run away from you
And if you keep on runnin' you'll have to pay the price

And don't it seem like Kicks just keep gettin' harder to find
And all your kicks ain't bringin' you peace of mind
Before you find out it's too late, girl, You better get straight

No, you don't need kicks
To help you face the world each day
That road goes nowhere
I'm gonna help you find yourself another way

Kicks just keep gettin' harder to find
And all your kicks ain't bringin' you peace of mind...

(kicks = drugs including alcohol)
 
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